Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group

The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...

motivation - please read

I've just passed my 6th month of my quit and although I posted here to celebrate it, I was still having those days when the nicodemon came calling and I have to admit, it was getting harder and harder to resist him! I'd started fantasising about smoking again and even found myself starting an arguement with my husband, so I could get really angry and have an excuse to go and buy some!I hate to admit it, but I think I was pretty close to slipping up.

One of the main reasons for quitting was my fear of getting lung cancer or suchlike and putting my kids through watching me die. I thought this would be enough motivation for me, but obviously not.

Bear with me, I know I'm rambling, but there's a moral at the end of this!

Anyway, a week ago, our family cat, Mungo, who we'd had for 15 years collapsed and we had to have her put to sleep. Any pet owner will appreciate the pain and sorrow that follows and so needless to say I was tempted to smoke.

BUT - I was comforting my 12 year old son, who was sobbing uncontrollably and I was so upset because I'd never, in all his life, seen him cry like that, just pure, uncontrolable heart rending sobs and I said "I'm so sorry baby" and he looked up at me, with tears streaming down his face and said "But Mum, it's not your fault"

It hit me like a thunderbolt. All those years of smoking, putting myself at risk of all those fatal deseases. What if I'd died? What if my boy had been forced to endure watching me die a slow awful death? What if I'd left him without a Mum?

NOW, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FAULT.

I know we all say one of the reasons we're giving up is for our loved ones, but I don't think we REALLY think about what it means, I know I never did. But I do now and I'll NEVER put my baby through that heartbreak again by choice.

PS. I miss Mungo dreadfully, but I think losing her may well have saved my quit and maybe even my life!

good to hear,neaded that ,i have just about 8 wks. and last couple days i've been wanting my old freinds(cigs) back,i too quit because of the fear of lung cancer and having my kids go through something as horrible as that ,and know that i would have been responsible for it , the guilt!!!!!, forget it !!!i love my children way too much . thanks

I smoked for 36 years and when my son was younger, he begged me to quit smoking. Of course, the kids these days are continually bombarded with the horrible outcomes of smoking. I did not quit until he was 24. After quitting, I feel so guilty that I did not quit when he was younger. I feel I conveyed to him that he wasn't as important to me as smoking that stupid cigarette which absolutely meant nothing. Stay your quit - you'll be so glad that you did! A word from someone that's been there and wished she could change that part of her life but can't.

The Nicodemon really is a monster and tries like crazy to lure us back, especially when things get stressful. You just got through a huge trigger without smoking and that just reinforces how strong your quit is. I am so very sorry about your cat, I too am an animal owner and I know how much we love our furry kids.

~~~RIP Mungo~~~
What a lovly post Starky, and thankyou for sharing. By six months it seems like one would be safe, but I know we are never safe from the nicodemon, we are one puff away for the rest of our lives. I relate to the support of a son. Times I romance the thought of smoking I think of my son. Handsome fourteen year old young man who is so proud of me for quitting smoking, smoking; something he HATED and TOLERATED for fourteen years! I'm sure you've watched the video of the woman dying that tadpo posted here, I hope and pray 30 years of smoking never puts me in a bed dying an ugly death like that. My lungs are healing, your lungs are healing, our boys are happy for that! Bless you and thankyou for sharing.

Your story was very touching. Thank you for sharing this with us. It just goes to show all of us that smoking is bad for us. It just makes us realize that life is to short to give it up for a damn cigarette. I'm sorry for the loss of your cat. Good luck and thanks again.

Oh, I read your story and cried. I too had to have both of my dogs (male &amp; female Rottweilers) put to sleep in Aug - within 12 days of each other. The male had something comparable to MS in human begins - he was 6 and the female developed &quot;Wobblers Sydrome&quot; - we had gotten her as a rescue when she was a year and a half - she was 10 1/2 when we put her down and the vet took xrays and said that someone had brutally abused the poor little girl. He said the disks on her neck were all fused and she had a 6 inch crack in a bone in her shoulder that had been broken before she was a year old. He said someone had beater her with a baseball bat and that that was what had caused her Wobbler's Syndrome. I cried for weeks but felt that the Good Lord wanted them to be togetther. I too have been quit 6 mos (anniversary is June 12 so on Dec 12 it had been 6 mos.) I used Chantix and after 5 days on the meds just lost the desire and it has never come back. I have a 30 year old daughter and a 25 year old daughter and am looking forward to being around to be a grandmother. God Bless you for sticking with your quit. I think in a while you won't even have to think about it anymore. I feel as though I never smoked. I smoked as a teen and then gave it up when I got married and took it up again about 6 years ago when my 2nd marriage started going south. I am so glad to have given it up for the last time. Take care &amp; God Bless you

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